Question

Which of the following is NOT a piece of evidence in support of the nebular hypothesis for the formation of the solar system?

a) all planets orbit the Sun in the same direction
b) most large moons orbit their parent planets in the same direction
c) no planet shows evidence of heavy recent asteroid bombardment
d) the planet Uranus is tipped over on its side
e) all of the gas giant planets orbit outside the frost line

Answer 1

Option (c) 'no planet shows evidence of heavy recent asteroid bombardment' is not in support of the nebular hypothesis because the solar system's history includes a heavy bombardment phase.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nebular hypothesis is a theory that describes the formation of the solar system from a giant, spinning cloud of gas and dust, called the solar nebula, which coalesced into planetesimals and eventually formed planets and moons. This theory is supported by observational evidence such as all planets orbiting the Sun in the same direction, most large moons orbiting their parent planets in the same direction, and all of the gas giant planets orbiting outside the frost line, where icy materials can survive.

Among the options provided, option (c) 'no planet shows evidence of heavy recent asteroid bombardment' is NOT a piece of evidence supporting the nebular hypothesis, since actually, heavy bombardment is part of the solar system's early history, as seen in the craters on the Moon and other celestial bodies.